I'm also watching it and the thing that strikes me most is that if we think we can compete with this sort of opening ceremony in London in four years time we are deluding ourselves. Simply put the cost would be outrageous.

Hit the wrong key again, I was going to say that The opening ceremony at the London Olympics should be scaled down to just that. A few speeches perhaps, or maybe only one. Make it short and sweet. This one in China has been too long already. Spectacular yes, but far too long. If London started to use a less costly and glamorous type of opening ceremony, who knows the countries following them might be encouraged to do likewise, instead of what has been happening for years of each succeeding country trying to outshine the last one. Ridiculous.